Report: Giants have a fourth “sleeper” candidate

The Giants have interviewed six potential head coaches, and reportedly reduced that to a shortlist of three finalists.

But with four jobs open and the possibility the finalists might be looking for something else, they need to have a backup plan.

According to Tom Rock and Bob Glauber of Newsday, they have one, with a fourth “sleeper” candidate in place in case things go wrong.

Of course, without a name attached, that could be the coaching search equivalent of the “mystery team” which is so popular among agents during free agency season.

In case they don’t end up with either Josh McDaniels or Matt Patricia or Pat Shurmur (the reported finalists) they can always point to the other guy as the one they wanted all along.

It could be as simple as Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was the only one of the six candidates to meet with both co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch. Because of his familiarity with General Manager Dave Gettleman, Wilks was a logical candidate despite his lack of experience (only one year as a coordinator).

But it also opens the door for the possibility of a run at a whale such as Bill Belichick or Nick Saban or someone else, and identifying three other names as finalists prevents the perceived embarrassment of swinging and missing publicly.

It could also involve will-he-or-won’t-he interviewee Jim Schwartz, who didn’t meet with them during the Eagles week off, after they asked permission.

Either way, it adds a layer of mystery to a search that could drag on, since of course a legacy franchise like the Giants wouldn’t break the rules by reaching a deal with a coach still involved in the playoffs.

I wouldn’t mind seeing an NFL rule where no coaches can be hired, fired or interviewed until a few days after the Superbowl. It would put the focus back on the games and give the successful teams of the year a little more deserving attention.

Okay, let’s get completely absurd here. The Giants trade for Belichick and work out a deal to bring Brady with him. McDaniels takes over in New England. Garoppolo does not sign a long term deal with The 49ers and New England reacquires him. A seemless transition into the next Patriots dynasty. About as plausible as anything else I’ve heard…:)

Okay, let’s get completely absurd here. The Giants trade for Belichick and work out a deal to bring Brady with him. McDaniels takes over in New England. Garoppolo does not sign a long term deal with The 49ers and New England reacquires him. A seemless transition into the next Patriots dynasty. About as plausible as anything else I’ve heard…:)
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A sleeper coach is a on DC/OC retread. There is someone they’re enamored with. One of those no experience but soon to be great HC ala Tomlin (debate there, but you know what I mean), McVay, Shanahan and McDermott.

The sleeper coach is some crazy workaholic who everyone respects and his time will come. If it’s some retread like Swartz or the above (I would take the Michigan Harbaugh or even consider Cower) but my guess it’s a no name that goes against the whole experience thing they are talking about. I think Gettleman is getting to Mara and actually has real input.